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I'm very proud to have supported Senator McCain and the only regret is that more Americans didn't share my conviction that he would have made an outstanding President. I not only recognize, but respect that we are a nation in which the people choose and tonight they have chosen Senator Obama. He was not my choice, but he will be my President and I will pray for him to lead this great nation with God's help and grace. He will face serious challenges to lead our country and he will need all Americans to give him a chance.

The campaign is over and now is the time for governing and leading. The Republican Party must now reassess where it is and where it is going. Our problem is not that our views aren't acceptable, is that many in our party have abandoned the very principles that once drew Americans to trust us. Our party will be back with strength, but tonight we should all celebrate the historic nature of this election and put our country ahead of our party.

As disappointed as I am that we have lost the election, I can't help but feel that many courageous leaders of the civil rights movement look down from heaven tonight with a smile that the day has come when a man is elected without regard to his color. I salute President-elect Obama for his discipline and tenacity that has given our country the opportunity to witness this significant event.

Politics is not an event but a process. We sometimes lose the events but it never gives us the right to stop being faithful to our principles that enlisted us in the process. We shall live to fight another day.

Mike Huckabee Crosses Finish Line in Presidential Run Former Arkansas Governor Call for United Party

Little Rock, AR - Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee concluded his 2008 bid for the Republican nomination for President tonight, calling upon his supporters to embrace the candidacy of U.S. Senator John McCain (AZ).

Huckabee, a champion of conservative values, said: "I extend my congratulations - and my commitment to John McCain - to do everything possible to unite our Party and our nation, to be the best country we can be, not for ourselves, but for future generations. I am grateful that Senator McCain has led an honorable campaign because he is an honorable man."

"It's now important that we turn our attention, not to what could have been or what we wanted to have been, but what to now must be, and that is a united party," Huckabee stated in his speech to supporters gathered in Texas tonight.

Huckabee said, "Not only have we fought the good fight and finished the race but more importantly, we have kept the faith. I would rather lose an election than lose the principles that got me into politics in the first place."

"While many in the establishment never really believed I belonged, there were many in the country that did," he said. "Thanks to their sacrifices, I had a voice - and I only pray that I have been able to give them a voice."

Huckabee said he represented average Americans who work two jobs to meet ends meet; conservatives who want less - but more efficient - government with less corruption; people who believe we should overhaul our tax system, implement the Fair Tax ad and get rid of the IRS; the Solders, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, who keep us free; those who cherish life and those who have yet to be born.

Huckabee, who ran a small but cost-effective campaign, concluded his remarks by stating, "Our battle was never about us. It was about our country and its liberty. Now, we join with Senator McCain in the rest of that battle, not for who gets elected, but for what we can do when we get elected."

Huckabee finished the GOP primary race behind McCain with delegates from his victory in eight primaries and caucuses. Huckabee won caucuses in Iowa , West Virginia , and Kansas . He also won primaries in Alabama , Georgia , Tennessee , Louisiana , and his home state of Arkansas

Little Rock, AR – Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee launched a new 30-second television ad in Texas to air through the March 4, 2008 Republican Primary. "Stand Up" highlights Huckabee's principled conservative convictions and the American belief in "standing for something so you don't fall for anything."

Huckabee, who received a major endorsement from Dallas Cowboys' football legend Cliff Harris, will return to the Lone Star State tomorrow for campaign events. The 30-second spot will complement his campaign visits, reaching 100% rotation in the Dallas and Houston markets.

"All across America , my authentic conservative message of faith, family, and freedom has resonated – not because I am the candidate of the establishment, but because I am the candidate who stands for principles, not politics; convictions, not convenience; and Main Street, not K Street," Huckabee said.

"This ad highlights Texans history of standing up for what is right regardless of what others may think, say, or do. I hope voters all across Texas will continue to affirm their core conservative values, because on March 4th, it's time to stand up and be counted," said Huckabee. "There have been many flags over Texas , and not a single one of them was the white flag of surrender."

Script of "Stand Up":Mike Huckabee for President –30 Second TV Ad

MH ON CAMERA:"Being independent is being Texas . Not going along just to 'get along.' It means standing for something so you don't fall for just anything.

"This election is about principled convictions – not political correctness. I'm the only candidate supporting the Human Life Amendment, stopping illegal immigration with a real border security plan, and the Fair Tax, which kills the IRS before it kills even more American businesses.

"I'm Mike Huckabee and I approve this message because it's time to stand up and be counted-not lie down and be conquered."

Little Rock, AR -- Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee has issued the following comment in response to the death of William F. Buckley:

"Janet and I were sad to hear the news of William F. Buckley's passing. As one of the founders of the modern conservative movement, William Buckley helped turn the intellectual and political tide, shifting America from liberalism to conservatism. Our country, and our world, are better for his 82 years on this earth.

"Bill Buckley was also one of a kind-a scholar, an activist, a wit, a harpsichord player. As a young man, he wrote God and Man at Yale, an enduring critique of secular liberalism. In 1955, his National Review burst into prominence, influencing many millions of young conservatives, including one youngster from a little town in Arkansas. To this day, his magazine stands as one of the most important voices of conservative opinion. In addition, he produced a seemingly endless quantity of books, novels, articles, columns, and TV shows.

"So all conservatives owe Bill Buckley a great debt. Today, while our thoughts and prayers are with the Buckley family, we conservatives continue to draw inspiration from his life and work. But there is more to be done. It is up to us to carry on, fulfilling his enormous legacy."

Little Rock, AR Former AR Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee issued the following statement after receiving the news of last night's primary results:

"My candidacy is, and always has been, about convictions - and the issues and core values that are critical to our country's future, such protecting traditional marriage, the sanctity of life, individual empowerment and a revamping of our federal tax code to encourage productivity. It's about lifting Americans up, from hope to higher ground, with a positive vision for America's future that is grounded in a belief in our nation's basic goodness, and defined by a 'can-do' spirit that knows how to gets things done. My goal is to offer Republican voters, a voice and a choice in this election.

"The last four out of five U.S. Presidents have been governors, and there is a reason for this: the challenges facing our nation require steady, experienced, executive management. As governor of Arkansas for 10 ½ years, I delivered on my promises to cut taxes 94 times, reduce welfare by half, reform health care for children and our education system, and transform our transportation infrastructure. My record of results, achieved with a Democrat legislature, gives a meaningful viability to my candidacy.

"There are millions of Republicans from across this country who have yet to be heard from. Clearly we were disappointed by the results in Wisconsin, but I look forward to campaigning hard in Texas and Ohio this week - and taking my case before the good people of those states."

Little Rock, AR -- Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee has issued the following statement in response to the resignation of Cuban President Fidel Castro: "The Cuban people deserve nothing less than free and fair elections which would provide the only hope for a prosperous and democratic Cuba. Until Fidel Castro is dead there can be no significant movement towards reform in Cuba. Raul Castro has proven that he's as much a tyrant and dictator as his brother Fidel. Simply providing more power to another dictator does nothing to promote freedom and democracy to the Cuban people."

Little Rock, AR -- Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee has issued the following statement in response to Gov. Mitt Romney's endorsement of Sen. John McCain:

"This goes to show there is a lot of 'me too' going on in the party, I just happen to be the leader of the "not me" crowd. There are those from the Beltway and those of the party establishment who believe its time for the Republican Party to pull together, but there are still a lot of voices that have not been heard. This election should be about choices and voices, and not a coronation. Until someone receives 1,191 delegates, the verdict is not in."